Leo Komarov came to North America to play in the NHL, but might not see the inside of the Air Canada Centre for a long time.

So rather than continue with the young Toronto Marlies farm team, the 25-year-old is looking at returning to a more familiar and financially rewarding situation with Moscow Dynamo in the KHL. The Finnish winger, drafted in the sixth round by then-GM John Ferguson back in 2006, is in discussions to use a clause in his one-year contract with the Leafs to go back to the Russian-based league if the lockout persists.

But the Marlies are reluctant to lose the player who was their goal-scoring leader a few days ago and had brought a spark to the team with his aggressve play.

“This is a complicated situation we are trying to work through,” Leafs’ vice-president of hockey operations Dave Poulin told the Toronto Sun on Thursday.

The Marlies are about to start three games in three nights Friday in Hamilton. Komarov did attend an optional practice Thursday.

“I think Leo wants to make sure that, if he does leave, that he can come back if the lockout ends,” coach Dallas Eakins told TSN.

“No matter what happens, this kid is a good prospect, he’s worked hard to get where he’s at for a shot at the NHL. I think he’s going to push for a job if it ever does start back up.”

Komarov had three goals in three games last week in Texas, before serving a one-game suspension for a check to the head area of a San Antonio Rampage player. He and defenceman Jake Gardiner share the team lead with five goals.

BRIEFLY

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews admitted this week he was still feeling the effects of a concussion during the playoffs, though he’d passed NHL-imposed protocols required to play ... Habs forward Blake Geoffrion has been released from a Montreal hospital less than a week after he had surgery for a skull fracture ... Capitals forward Jason Chimera has signed with Chomutov of the Czech Extraliga. Chimera, who had 20 goals and 19 assists for the Caps last season, has played 663 career NHL games ... Detroit Red Wings prospect Marek Tvrdon, a forward with the Vancouver Giants of the WHL, is out for the season due to an undisclosed injury. The Vancouver Sun reported that Tvrdon has a blood clot in his arm.